Interference Analysis for Synthetic Aperture Radar Calibration Sites with Triangular Trihedral Corner Reflectors

Abstract

The typical method for performing an absolute radiometric calibration of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) System is to analyze its response, without interference, to a target with a known Radar Cross Section (RCS). To minimize interference, an error-free calibration site for a Corner Reflector (CR) is required on a wide and flat plain or on an area without disturbance sources (such as ground objects). However, in reality, due to expense and lack of availability for long periods, it is difficult to identify such a site. An alternative solution is the use of a Triangular Trihedral Corner Reflector (TTCR) site, with a surrounding protection wall consisting of berms and a hollow. It is possible in this scenario, to create the minimum criteria for an effectively error-free site involving a conventional object-tip reflection applied to all beams. Sidelobe interference by the berm is considered to be the major disturbance factor. Total interference, including an object-tip reflection and a sidelobe interference, is analyzed experimentally with SAR images. The results provide a new guideline for the minimum criteria of TTCR site design that require, at least, the removal of all ground objects within the fifth sidelobe.